Device for grading papers



July 8, 1958 L. BAILEY DEVICE FOR GRADING PAPERS Filed April 25 1956 Unitetl tit-ares Patent DEVICE FR GRADENG PAPERS Lewis Bailey, Jackson, Ky.

Application April 25, 1956, Serial No. 580,481

11 Claims. (Cl. 35-48) The application relates to improvements in devices for grading students test papers and is a continuation in part of my formerly filed application, Serial No. 374,311 tiled August 14, 1953, and now abandoned entitled Device for Grading Test Papers.

As explained in said formerly tiled application, my invention consists in a novel combination of parts in a device wherein a plurality of test papers, previously filled in by students, may be placed in stacked relation upon a tray-like base or receiver having a frame pivoted thereto and which frame is adapted for positioning atop the uppermost of the test papers. The frame carries a plurality of novel pivotally mounted shields which are adapted to selectively cover one or the other of a portion or portions of pairs of columns in which the student has indicated the correct answers. By previously and properly positioning these shields certain areas of the test papers will be obscured while other areas will be revealed and the examiner utilizing the device may determine at a glance any incorrect answers and may so grade the paper. Upon completion of the grading of the uppermost paper the same may be quickly and easily removed from the stack thus displaying the next paper whereupon the procedure may be repeated.

The device of this present application includes the essential features as above set forth with respect to the said formerly filed application. In addition, the present application discloses certain improvements which have been found desirable and advantageous and which will be described in detail as the description proceeds.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple and inexpensive in construction` and yet effective and advantageous in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, a pivoted frame having novel shields and novel mountings therefor, both forming parts of the invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character set forth, a novel arrangement whereby the shields are frictionally retained in position during use of the device, the arrangement also being such that the frictional retaining means may be readily released whereupon gravity serves to quickly move the shields to a neutral position preparatory to resetting the shields to suit examination of different test papers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in

Va device of the character set forth, an arrangement of parts whereby the configuration of the shields may be such that a considerable area of the test paper is unobscured, this arrangement being advantageous to the examiner employing the device.

Broadly it is my object to provide mechanism for facilitating the grading of test papers of the type having optional yes or no answers which comprises a tray like base member for receiving a batch of test papers to be graded, said base having a frame hinged at one side edge of the ICC base which frame is provided with a series of spaced bars extending lengthwise thereof in which the spacing of the bars is such as to overlie a line between the spaces for positive or negative answers on the test papers, each bar carrying a series of shield members pivoted to the bars and extending normally in a vertical position but which are adapted to be normally rocked to the right or left to indicate the correctness or incorrectness of the answers on the test papers, and means for coincidentally realigning the shield members in their normal vertical position for a new setting of the shield members.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art with an understanding of the ensuing description and of the appended drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals throughout the various figures:

Figure 1 is a plan view with parts broken away showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 but showing an alternative position of the parts wherein the pivoted frame has been swung counterclockwise from its normal position atop the test papers to a position preparatory to returning the shields to a neutral position.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of Figure 3 showing exemplary positions which the shields may occupy previous to release of the frictional retaining means.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating release of the frictional means to permit gravity to swing the shields to a downward position.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5 and more clearly illustrating the downward position of the shields.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the frame returned to its normal position above the base and with the shields in an upstanding neutral position preparatory to resetting thereof.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing a typical test paper as adapted for use with my device.

Figure 9 is a detailed view showing a preferred configuration of the shield members.

Figure l0 is a fragmentary view illustrating an alternative arrangement.

Referring now to the drawings, an answer sheet 10 which, as perhaps best seen in Figure 8, is provided at the upper portion thereof with blank spaces 11, 12, 13 and 14, upon which may be placed, respectively, the name of the student, the date of the examination, the subject of the examination and the grade awarded. The sheet 10 is vertically divided into columns generally indicated at 15 to 2S inclusive, and is divided horizontally into columns generally indicated at 29, thus dividing the main portion of the sheet into selected areas. In each of the areas of the column 15 there is placed a number beginning at l and proceeding successively to the bottom of the column 15 and continuing at the top of the column 18 and proceeding successively to the bottom thereof, after which such numerals continue successively from the top to the bottom of column 21 and then from the top to the bottom of column 27. As indicated twenty-five of such numerals are shown in each column so that there is a successive numbering of from l to 100. In each of the areas in columns 16 and 19 there is placed a plus sign while in each of the areas in the columns 17 and 20 there is placed a minus sign. In each of the areas in the column 22 there is displayed the letter a; in the areas of the column 23 there is displayed the letter b; in each of the areas of the column 24 there is displayed the letter c, while in each of the areas 2S there is displayed the letter d.

The column 26 is ieft blank. The answer sheet as received by a student would likewise have the column 28 left entirely blank in all of its areas. However, in the drawings the paper is shown as it may appear after the student has indicated or filled in certain information in each of the areas.

The grading device proper comprises a rectangular base 30 whose inner marginal portion (or ieft side as seen in the drawings) is provided with an upstanding guide fence 3l and whose outer marginal portion (or right side) is likewise provided with an upstanding guide fence 32, a portion of which is cut awa, as indicated at 33, to provide a finger opening, a portion of the base 3th also being cut away as indicated at 39a for this purpose.

Vertically extending guide plates 34 and 35 are affixed at the upper end of the base 3h by screws 36 and 37. At the lower end of the base Sti other vertically extending guide plates 3S and 39 are afxed by means of screws lil and al, the various members thus comprise a traylike base serving to assure proper positioning of a stack of papers thereupon.

A rectangular frame member generally indicated at le and slightly larger than the base 3@ consists of an upper horizontal member 45, and a lower horizontal member 46 joined by transverse rods 47 and i3 which are axed to the members 45 and i6 in any suitable manner or as by screws generally indicated at (i9.

The rod L- also provides a pivoted or hinged mounting for the frame ed and for the purpose the rod passes through perforations in the plates 3d and 38 which plates extend from the base Sti as at 3dr: and 33:1, to provide elongated perforations such as the perforation Sil perhaps best seen in Figures 2 and 4, the elongated perforations providing a oating mount which permits the frame and its associated parts to lie snugly upon a stack of papers such as the stack l which may vary in height. Thus papers may be removed therefrom or added thereto.

The upper frame meber l5 has a series of drilled holes generally indicated at 52, while the lower frame member i6 has a similar series of holes generally indicated at 53, the various holes 52 and 5.3 serving to mount rods 54, 55, 56, 57, and 5S. To the right of the rod 5S an elongated U-shaped clamp member :39 is mounted between the frame members d5 and 46 which members are respectively grooved or cut out as at 663 and 6l to receive the clamp member 59 which as shown, is so mounted that its legs extend to the right so that an elongated horizontally lined answer sheet 62 may be removably mounted therein.

At their lower ends, and in abutment with the frame member 236, each of the rods 5d through 53 is provided with a spacing member or sleeve 63 which sleeves may comprise short pieces of tubing slipped onto the ends of the rods. At their uper ends, and in abutment with the frame member 45, each of the rods 5d through 58 mount a compression spring 64 which at its lower end presses against a block 65 slidably tted on the rod. intermediate the sleeves 63 and the spring pressed blocks 65, each ci' the rods 5d through 58, mount a plurality of shield members generally indicated at 66.

The shields or? are formed preferably of a single piece of .flat thin material suitablformed to include a hub portion 67 and a shield portion 5S, as shown in detail in Figure 9. lt is to be clear that the hub portions 67 of the shields will he so formed as to be freely pivotal and also sli 'Y upon the rods. Each ofthe hubs 67 is equal in width to that of one of the horizontally extending column "1? so that the shields will register therewith when au sheet is A laced therebelow.

lt will nav appa nt that in opcation of the device the springs 6d, pushing against the blocks 65, press the ends of the successive hubs 67 into frictional engagement whereby the shields 66 are retained in position during grading of a gro-up of papers and if desired the frame i4 may be temporarily lifted from contact with the stack without disturbing the position of the shields.

When it is desired to reset the shields to accommodate a different group of papers it has been found advantageous and expeditious to first return the shields to a neutral or upright position whereby further manipulation of the shields is greatly facilitated. However, the manual task of individually returning each shield to the neutral position would be tedious and trying due to the multiplicity of the shields and to the compact arrangement thereof, and it is to this end that my arrangement is highly advantageous, it being merely required to revolve the frame 1i-4 counterclockwise about its pivoted mounting comprising the rod 47 to the position of Figure 3, whereupon the blocks may conveniently be manually actuated to compress the springs 64 (Figure 5), thus relieving the friction between the hubs 67 and permitting the shields to move quickly by action of gravity to the downward position of Figure 6. Thereafter, upon revolving the frame clockwise about its pivoted mounting, all of the shields 66 will occupy the upright or neutral position as indicated in Figure 7, whereafter resetting of the shields to meet new requirements may be conveniently manually accomplished.

With reference to Figure 9, I have found it to be advantageous that the shield portions 68 be configured with converging edges 69 and 7d joined by an arc 71, this shape in conjunction with the thin material of the shield allows an examiner a better view of the underlying test paper than the view allowed thereof by other grading devices of which I am aware.

In operation of my device it will be apparent that when using the answer sheet 10 the rod 54 will be positioned between the columns lo and the rod 55 will be positioned between the columns 19 and 20, the rod 56 will be positioned between the columns 22 and k23, the rod 57 will be positioned between the columns 23 and 24, and the rod 58 will be positioned between the columns 24 and 25. At the same time the clamp member 59 will be positioned at the left side of the column 27 as shown.

It will be understood that the examiner in giving an examination to a large number of students may require but true or false or yes or no answers to the rst fifty questions and that the students may then encircle a plus or minus sign adjacent the properly numbered question in columns l5 and 18. The examiner will thus set the shields attached to the rods 54 and 55 to reveal the correct answer. Arbitrarily, the shields may of course be so arranged as to obscure the correct `answers. With regard to columns 22, 23, 25 and 25, the examiner may use these columns for propounding multiple choice questions to the students whereupon the student will attempt to encircle the proper letter in one of such columns. The examiner will thus move the shields 66 carried on the rods 56, 57 and 5S so that only the correct answer remains uncovered. Likewise, it will be seen that in the column 28 the student will be required to write in a proper answer and that the examiner may then place the proper answers upon the card 62, thus permitting rapid comparison of the answers.

When a paper has been graded it may be quickly and easily removed from the stack by grasping it through the opening 33 to remove it from the stack and display the succeeding paper. It will be unnecessary to raise the frame 44 as each paper is withdrawn.

As illustrated in Figure l0, the various blocks may be provided with extending pins or the like 72, slidably received in slots 73 of a flat bar 74. To prevent displacement of the bar 74 the pins may comprise screws or the like having heads 75. By this arrangement each of the blocks 65 may be individually manipulated to release frictional engagement of those shields associated therewith. However, by manpiulation of the bar 74 the various blocks 65 may be collectively actuated to release frictional engagement ot the entire plurality of shields.

While I have disclosed a preferred form of the invention it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be readily devised without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device for grading test papers, a ttf use member, a frame, comprising oppositely disposed sid elements, hingedly attached to said base member and adapted for positioning thereabove, a rod extending between said oppositely disposed side elements of said frame, a plurality of shields comprising hub portions pivotally and slidably arranged on said rod in end to end relation, and a resilient element interposed between one of the said frame elements and the said plurality of shields comprising hubs, whereby the said hubs are urged into frictional engagement with respect to each successive hub and with the oppositely disposed said side element of said frame, said resilient element being releasable to relieve frictional engagement of the parts.

2. In a device for grading test papers, a tray-like base member, a frame comprising oppositely disposed side ele ments hingedly attached to said base member and adapted for positioning thereabove, a series of rods extending between said oppositely disposed side elements of said frame, a plurality of shields comprising hub portions pivotally and slidably arranged in end to end relation on each rod of said series of rods, and a resilient element interposed between one of the said trarne elements and the said plurality of shields comprising hubs whereby the hubs are urged into frictional engagement with each successive hub and with the oppositely disposed said side element of said frame.

3. In a device for grading test papers, a rectangular tray-like base member adapted to receive a stack of test papers and comprising a first hinge element, a frame comprising rectangularly disposed side elements and mounting a second hinge element coacting with said irst hinge element comprising said base member, said first and said second hinge elements comprising a heating mount whereby said frame is adapted to lie snugly atop the said stack of test papers as the height thereof varies, a rod extending between oppositely disposed said side elements of said frame, a plurality of shields comprising hub portions pivotally and slidably arranged on said rod in end to end relation between the said side elements of said frame, and a resilient element interposed between one of the said frame elements and the said plurality of shields comprising hubs, whereby the said hubs are urged into frictional engagement with respect to each successive hub and with respect to the oppositely disposed said side element of said frame.

4. In a device of the character set forth, a rectangular base member, guide elements ixed to the said base member and extending upwardly therefrom, a first hinge element aiixed to said base member, a frame comprising rectangularly disposed side elements, a second hinge element comprising said frame, said first hinge element and said second hinge element coasting to provide a floating mount for said frame, a series of rods extending between oppositely disposed side elements of said frame, a plurality of shields comprising hub portions pivotally and slidably arranged on each rod of said series of rods, and a resilient member interposed between one of the said frame elements and each 'of the said plurality of shields whereby the said hubs are urged together with frictional engagement therebetween and with respect to the oppositely disposed said frame element, the said resilient elements including releasing means whereby upon manual actuation thereof the frictional engagement of the parts may be released.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 including a Ushaped member also extending between the said side elements ol' said frame and adapted to removably retain a data-bearing element. l

6. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the said rectangular base member together with a said upstanding guide element iixed thereto comprise cut-out portions facilitating removal of said test papers from the said stack.

7. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the said tirst hinge element aiiixed to the said base comprises a bracket extending therefrom and having an elongated per* oration, and also wherein the said second hinge element comprising said frame comprises a rod forming one of said side elements of said frame and passing through the elongated perforation of said first hinge element, whereby the said floating mount of the said frame is accomplished.

8. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the said shields are formed or" thin at material and comprise a tubular hub portion joined by a shield portion having converging edges terminating in an arcuate configuration.

9. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein each of the said releasing means comprises a block slidably interposed between said resilient means and said plurality of shields, said blocks being of such proportions that manual manipulation thereof is convenient and expeditious.

l0. Mechanism for facilitating the grading of test papers of the type having optional yes or no answers which comprises a tray-like base member for receiving a batch of test papers to be graded, said base having a frame hinged at one side edge of the base, which frame is provided with a series of spaced bars extending lengthwise thereof in which the spacing of the bars is such as to overlie a line between the spaces for positive or negative answers on the test papers, each bar carrying a series of shield members pivoted to the bars and extending normally in a vertical position but which are adapted to be normally rocked to the right of left to indicate the correctness or incorrectness of the answers on the test papers, and means for coincidentally realigning the shield menibers in their normal vertical position for a new setting of the shield members.

ll. A device as deiined in claim l() wherein the hinge of the frame to the tray comprises a bar extending through elongated holes permitting limited vertical movement of the hinged edge of the frame.

References Cited in the rile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,357,744 Kennerly Sept. 5, i944 

